Teen alleges beating at detention center

COOK COUNTY — A new accusation of physical abuse by a staff member has surfaced at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, with a resident complaining he was beaten last month.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on Friday confirmed it is investigating the incident. DCFS spokeswoman Diane Jackson said a report was made to the agency Dec. 23 involving a 16-year-old boy who contends he was injured in an intake area.

John Gibson, a spokesman for Cook County Board President John Stroger, said Stroger's inspector general also is aware of the allegation and would conduct an investigation.

Jeffrey Granich, a lawyer for the teen, said a staff member struck the teen and ruptured his eardrum. The youth's family is considering taking legal action, Granich said.

Granich noted that the center has been surrounded by controversy in recent months. Lawyers for the county and the American Civil Liberties Union, which sued on behalf of center residents in 1999, were in federal court this week. The ACLU has asked a federal judge to appoint an independent manager to oversee reform, after charging that the facility is mismanaged and dangerous.

"I think it's kind of frustrating that clearly the detention center is facing a very serious federal case, and still it doesn't seem to be working too well," Granich said.